it comes after the obama administration lowered its request for new tax revenue from $1.6 trillion in over ten years to 1.4 trillion. but before the call boehner was critical of the president. >> right now the american people have to be scratching their heads and wondering when is the president going to get serious. >> the economic uncertainty comes at a time when retailers are hoping for strong holiday sales. the prospect of higher taxes for all americans threatens to sink consumer confidence. >> the specifics of the deal are not as important to us as getting a deal. >> now, in that abc news interview with barbara walters, the president said he thinks the american people will be better off with a done deal. harry reid who's a senate majority leader says he does not expect a deal before christmas. terrell. >> we'll have to see. susan mcginnis in washington. thank you so much. >>> today in morocco, they opened a meeting to discuss the syrian crisis. they're expecting to give them null political recognition during that same interview set to air on friday night on "20/20," president obam